The Canadian Press
HAMILTON — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have re-signed international defensive back Richard Leonard, the team announced on Thursday. Leonard was set to become a free agent next week.
The 27-year-old has appeared in 31 career games in two seasons with the Tiger-Cats (2017-18), registering 123 defensive tackles, one special teams tackle, eight interceptions, 23 pass knock downs, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries. Despite playing in only 13 games in 2018, Leonard was tied for second in the Canadian Football League in pass knock downs with 10. In 2017, he was named an East Division All-Star and the Tiger-Cats’ Most Outstanding Rookie after ranking first in the CFL in pass knock downs (tie-13) and fumble recoveries (3), second in interceptions (7) and 11th in defensive tackles (72).
The five-foot-eight, 173-pound native of Miami, Florida signed as an undrafted free agent with the National Football League’s Houston Texans and attended training camp with the team in 2016. Prior to turning pro, he appeared in 49 games at Florida International University from 2011 to 2015, compiling 205 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 37 passes defended, three forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. Leonard also returned kicks for the Panthers, finishing his career ranked second all-time in punt returns (37), punt return yardage (577), kick returns (86) and kick return yardage (2,158).
RELATED
» Free Agent Tracker
» Latest free agent news
» CFL.ca’s Top 30 pending free agents
